Creation of the Endowment - An Unprecedented Initiative
In late 2004, a group of Windham citizens began to explore the
possibility of providing private donations to enhance our community. A
Board of Directors was then formed of volunteers, including a Library
Trustee and School Board member, to investigate a community foundation
in Windham. In January 2005, the Windham Endowment for Community
Advancement was established as a tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3)
organization. That Spring, an interested resident generously provided
funding to hire a consulting firm to determine the level of interest in
and availability of funds for the creation of a private foundation. The
resulting study consisted of 116 completed surveys (an impressive 23%
return rate) and 30 personal interviews.
The survey results resoundingly endorsed the establishment of a
foundation and showed a compelling case for support. With a clear
indication from citizens that there was support for a community
foundation, the Board of Directors used additional donations to contract
with the consulting firm for another year to guide us through the next
steps toward making the Windham Endowment for Community Advancement a
reality. The Board has established a Recruiting Committee that has begun
searching for additional Directors, as well as a Steering Committee to
run the Endowment's first capital campaign. The first capital campaign
will be to enhance Windham High School through private donations.